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In Westwego, Blackwater Midstream request to move chemicals prompts City Council debate

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Westwego City Hall. The City Council Monday night (Feb. 10) voted 4-1 to allow Blackwater Midstream LLC to move a combustible chemical to two new storage tanks from older ones within the company's River Road terminal. The request sparked a debate during which Police Chief Dwayne "Poncho" Munch threatened to arrest Blackwater executives if he believes they break city laws ago. City officials learned in December that Blackwater was breaking the city's laws that regulate what the company stores at the site. Frank Marrocco, a Blackwater executive, called it a misunderstanding.
(Paul Purpura, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Blackwater Midstream LLC, which owns and operates a chemical storage terminal on River Road in Westwego, asked the City Council on Monday night for approval to move a product from there to two newly built tanks. The simple request sparked a contentious debate, however, given the disclosure two months ago that the company broke municipal law by storing certain chemicals at the site without a permit.

Frank Marrocco, Blackwater's chief commercial officer, asked the council for a permit to move a product -- which he never identified -- from two existing tanks inside the terminal to two new ones farther from a residential area. The City Council in December let Blackwater build the new tanks. The new tanks don't have a fire suppression system, as required, but Blackwater wants to fill them.

The request prompted Police Chief Dwayne "Poncho" Munch to discuss how his officers are authorized to arrest people for breaking a city ordinance. "If you violate the law this time, I'm going to come in, and somebody's going to jail in the back of a police car," Munch told Marrocco

Marrocco denied that Blackwater "snuck one in," saying the company has told the Fire Department about everything it has stored there. He said there's a misunderstanding between the company and city officials.

Munch was unconvinced. "That's a shot over the bow. I'm going to be there. ... For some reason there's always a misunderstanding."

Fire Chief Charles Hudson disputed Marrocco's statement that Blackwater tells the department what's stored there. He said Blackwater has told the Fire Department what's there only after the products have been in the tanks.

The council voted 3-2 to approve Blackwater's request. Although the company does not yet have the fire suppression system required for the new tanks, council members authorized the move because it puts the chemicals farther from residences.

"Any time they can move a combustible product away from my residence, I'm for it," said Councilman Glenn Green, whose district includes Blackwater. Council members Johnny Nobles Jr. and Gary Toups joined Green in approving the request.

Council members Norman Fonseca and Larry Warino, a frequent Blackwater critic, voted against the move. Warino said the company was asking for approval to move chemicals that aren't permitted at the terminal anyway.

Blackwater acquired the tank yard five years ago. Marrocco says Blackwater has made improvements at the site since taking over. "We operate a safe facility," he said.

Marrocco said engineers are expected to finish designs for the fire suppression system by the end of next week. "When we get this final design back, it goes up for review by the Westwego Fire Department," Marrocco said. "And then we'll put it in."

He estimated 60 days to 90 days will be needed to install the fire suppression system, once the Fire Department approves the design. He said "it's a better solution all across the board" to move the chemicals to new tanks, which front River Road on the downriver side of the terminal.

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NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the council's vote tally and Councilman Norman Fonseca's vote on Blackwater's request.